Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!ra!uvaarpa!vger.nsu.edu!g_harrison From: g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu (George C. Harrison, Norfolk State University) Newsgroups: comp.edu Subject: Re: Subtle Math Questions Message-ID: <980.28319d22@vger.nsu.edu> Date: 16 May 91 00:42:10 GMT References: <1991May15.121134.29777@bellcore.bellcore.com> Lines: 48 In article <1991May15.121134.29777@bellcore.bellcore.com>, duncan@ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) writes: > In article harkcom@spinach.pa.yokogawa.co.jp (Alton Harkcom) writes: >> >> Everyone got the correct answer: '5' in standard notation as the >>multiplication operator has higher priority. I doubt the response >>would have been as good if I polled a wide selection of HS graduates >>in the US though. I would guess that the majority of high school >>graduates in Japan would have gotten it right. > > I'm concerned that we care whether some other country's kids can get the right > answer or not. If education in this country cannot produce students who can > get the correct answer (even better, explain their reasoning, even if the > answer was wrong), then who cares? Would we feel better about education in > this country if it was as disappointing in others? (Perhaps yes since it seems > fear over competition from the Russians in the 50's and now the Japanese in the > 80's-90's is the major concern of many people.) > > Speaking only for myself, of course, I am... > Scott P. Duncan (duncan@ctt.bellcore.com OR ...!bellcore!ctt!duncan) > (Bellcore, 444 Hoes Lane RRC 1H-210, Piscataway, NJ 08854) > (908-699-3910 (w) 609-737-2945 (h)) Let me ask a very simple question: How many people in society (Japaneese or American [USA]) get asked such a question. If a person who has graduated from high school knows the solution to a question like 5 + 6 x 7 x 8 x 0, I would say "nice!" It would mean that they have remembered the rules. Would it mean that they would necessarily be productive members of society??? If a person does not KNOW the correct answer, should we assume that they are not worthy of being Chariman of the Board of a major company? I have a Ph.D. (Piled higher and Deeper) degree in [PURE!!] mathematics. I see the great growth in the 1990's being based in inventiveness and not in who KNOWS WHAT. For those who hire.... I have a question: "Would you HIRE a 4.0 student who has done nothing but do extremely well in college grades, or would you HIRE a 2.859 student who was President of the local academic club, raised 2 children, and has worked 40 hours a week as a manager at Hardies (MacDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc)? George... George C. Harrison, Professor of Computer Science Norfolk State University, 2401 Corprew Avenue, Norfolk VA 23504Internet: g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu Phone: 804-683-8654